Nintendo to trademark "It's on like Donkey Kong" phrase

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Nintendo are looking into trademarking the phrase “It’s on like Donkey Kong” to coincide with the release of the gaming ape’s latest adventure, Donkey Kong Country Returns.

The request has been filed with the United States Patent and Trademark office, and follows similar attempts to have Mario’s “It’s-a-me, Mario!” and the “Gotta Catch Em All” Pokemon slogans trademarked.

However, Nintendo may hit a wall as the original source of the slogan has been called into question.

According to the Urban Dictionary, the rapper Ice Cube first used the phrase in his song “Now I Gotta Wet’cha” from his 1992 Predator album. And while Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto may have designed the character, there’s no real way of telling who first came up with the infamous line.

Still, it’s all good PR for the next game either way. Developed by Metroid Prime maestros Retro Studios, the sequel looks like a great update of Donkey Kong’s 16 bit SNES adventures.

Donkey Kong Country Returns will be available to Wii owners from December 3rd.